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Commissioners Keep Up Attack on Cheap Fares

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8th November 1957

Page 100

Page 100, 8th November 1957 — Commissioners Keep Up Attack on Cheap Fares

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A SYSTEM of concessionary fares, which has been operated by SunderI-1 land Corporation for 22 ye.ars, was criticized by the Northern Traffic Commissioners, last week. Universal tranSfer return tickets were issued before 9 a.m., it was stated, and passengers could use them on the return journey at any time during the day.

Mr. J. A. T. Hanlon, chairman, said the Commissioners could not accept that these tickets were an inducement to travel, as they could be used at peak times. Other forms of transport offered reduced rates, but they were restricted to off-peak periods. Sunderland's scheme should either be abandoned, or the universal tickets should be issued at any time during the day.

Mr. J. S. McIntire, Sunderland's town clerk, who put the corporation's case for a fare increase, said abolition of the cheap tickets was neither necessary nor desirable. Sunderland's was one of the few undertakings not losing passengers, but if the concessions were stopped there would be serious passenger resistance. The alternative proposal, to extend the use of the tickets, would cost £80,000 a year.

Trade-union representatives said in evidence that industrial unrest might result from the cheap rates being abolished. Their members were not high wage earners, and in some cases travelling expenses would be doubled. It was entirely wrong that the Commissioners should dictate to local authorities operating within their own boundaries.

Mr. McIntire said a fare increase was vitally necessary, as costs had risen by £100,000 in the past two years. By next March their reserve of £28,730 would have disappeared, leaving a deficit of £1,397. In 1959, this deficit would be £47,985 unless the application were granted, Second Lowest Fares

It was proposed to reduce the distance travelled for the minimum fare of lid. from 1.09 miles to 0.84 mile, which would yield an estimated £66,000. Sunderland's fares were the second lowest in the country.

Reserving decision, Mr. Hanlon said concessionary fares had gradually been disappearing throughout the country, and frerm the. figures produced it was obvious that in Sunderland people travelling before 9 a.m. were being subsidized by other passengers. However, the matter would be considered as it affected Sunderland alone.

Increases granted to Aberdeen Corporation will produce additional revenue estimated at £64,000. Mr. Fergus Watt, for the corporation, told the Scottish Traffic Commissioners that by next May extra expenditure on wage increases, and on contributing further annual instalments to the liquidation of their outstanding tramway debt, would amount to 191,521.

Setting aside the tramway debt instalment, if there were no fare increases the current year's deficit would be 164,106, and in May, 1959, it would be £43,8e3.

F2

To raise the extra revenue, they proposed an increase of Ad. in the 31d. and 4d. fares covering from five to eight stages, and Id. in the 4d. fare covering nine stages. The Id. fare for children. luggage and dogs at off-peak periods would go up to 11d.

Mr. Alexander Robertson, chairman, said he was glad the corporation were retaining the 2d. fare, which was useful for elderly shoppers. He hoped, however, that Aberdeen would try to arrange their finances so as to do away with the necessity to borrow money for buying buses.

Rochdale Fares Up Rochdale Corporation's application for increases was granted in full by the North Western Commissioners. Most ordinary single fares will go up by 1d., whilst early-morning fares will be half the ordinary adult rate to the nearest penny, plus Id. Shift-workers' 10-journey tickets arc being withdrawn.

Increases designed to bring in £54,000 were granted to St. Helens Corporation by the North Western Commissioners, who said that the undertaking's running costs had been kept remarkably low. It was stated that passenger figures had fallen, and the corporation faced a deficit of £39,717 in the present financial year. which would have to be met oast of their reserve fund.

When the rvlexborough and Swinton Traction Co., Ltd., sought fare increases at Leeds, Maj. F. S. Eastwood. chairman of the Yorkshire Commissioners, criticized three objecting authorities, Of Rawmarsh, Swinton and Conisborough Urban District Councils he said: "We find no reason why the objectors are not represented by their clerks."

In letters, the councils said they did not want to run to the expense of engaging counsel, but they wished to repeat contentions submitted at previous inquiries. These were that the company's 8 per cent. dividend on the increased nominal capital was too high for a concern operating a statutory undertaking with a legally protected monopoly; that the services were inefficient and wasteful; and that the liquid reserves being built up were greater than necessary.

Maj. Eastwood said the Commissioners took particular exception to the councils making allegations of inefficiency without attending court to substantiate their statements. They were merely sheltering behind the expense of engaging counsel.

Granting the increases, which meant a 2d. charge for one stage and 3d. for two or three stages, instead of the present overall rate of 2d.. Maj. Eastwood said the application was " very, reasonable."

Scottish Grants The Scottish Commissioners have approved in part increases sought by three operators in north-cast Scotland.

They are Strachan's Deeside Omnibus Service, Burnett's Motors, Ltd., • and Simpson's Motors, who made simultaneous applications. A rise of 1d. on single fares of 2d. and 2Ad., and Id. on returns over Is. 2d., has been allowed, but a request for increases on 7d. and 9d. singles was rejected.

Southport Corporation have decided to drop their scheme for a week-end surcharge of Id. on all fares, in favour of a general increase based on mileage, It is estimated that their deficit this year will be £32,000.

The East Midland Commissioners have rejected an appeal in Leicestershire for cheaper fares for old-age pensioners, on the ground that it is a national problem. The request was made by Leicestershire Old People's Welfare Association and a large number of parish councils in the county. They asked for half-fares for pensioners between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.